Manufacturer Hydrogen Vehicle Systems (HVS) and Dawson Technologies have signed an agreement to collaborate on the development of hydrogen fuel cell-powered racing cars. The five-year partnership will focus on completing two demonstration vehicles for Grand Touring racing.
The collaboration comes as the motorsport industry prepares for the introduction of hydrogen-powered categories, including a planned hydrogen class at the Le Mans 24 Hours race in 2027.
Ian Palmer, Managing Director of HVS, described the project’s significance: “The development of the GTh demonstrator vehicles is a key milestone in our commitment to help deliver zero-emission technologies. Our partnership with Dawson Technologies will provide valuable R&D tools that will enable us to bring our vehicles to market faster, providing tangible benefits for both companies and the wider industry.”
Under the agreement, both companies will:
- Share branding, using a combined D3/HVS logo
- Make their vehicles available to each other for testing and promotion
- Exchange data and technological innovations
Steve Fletcher, HVS’ Chief Technology Officer, explained the technical aspects: “This programme of work allows us to apply the advanced powertrain and control technology we have developed for our own products and adapt it to a new application. However, the boundary conditions for high performance racing cars provide us with a great platform for Research & Development and allow us to assess emerging technologies that advance our combined teams knowledge.”
Ian J. Dawson, CEO and CTO of Dawson Technologies, commented on the partnership’s potential impact: “This is a fantastic opportunity to combine our expertise with HVS in developing cutting-edge hydrogen technologies. The completion of these demonstrators will be a game-changer in demonstrating the viability of hydrogen propulsion technology in both GT racing cars and heavy-duty transport.”
The agreement is set for an initial period of five years, with the possibility of extension. Both companies aim to generate revenue through the partnership while advancing hydrogen vehicle technology.
